The University of Oxford are running a UK Government funded study to find treatments for COVID-19.  They are currently looking to engage with the care home sector to share information and support residents to take part in the study.

“COVID-19 can be more severe in older people, and people with underlying health conditions. In the UK it has been particularly affecting people in nursing and care homes, who are at risk of more severe disease.  At the moment we do not have any treatments that we know work against COVID-19, and so we urgently need research to find drugs that help people get better quickly and stop them needing to go to hospital.

The PRINCIPLE study, run by the University of Oxford, is funded by the UK government as a national priority study to find treatments for COVID-19. The study aims to find treatments that reduce hospital admission and speed recovery for people with symptoms of COVID-19 (a new or worsening continuous cough and/or a high temperature which started less than 15 days ago). People included in the study must be aged 65 and over, or aged 50-64 with underlying health conditions, and they must have capacity to fully understand and consent to the study. “

Taking part in the study will involve the following:

• They will need to answer some questions on the telephone or online to check they are suitable, and provide consent
• They will be able to nominate a ‘study partner’ (family, friend, carer e.g. care home staff) to help them with the study
• Their GP, or a study nurse or doctor, will also check their medical notes to make sure it is safe for them to be in the study

Those taking part in the study will be in one of two groups: one group will receive their usual care, the other group will also receive their usual care but in addition will receive a study drug which will be delivered from their GP, or directly from the research team.

All study drugs are already widely used in the NHS and have been approved as safe for use in this study. The study will use a computer programme to decide by chance whether they get the drug or not.

• They will  have a swab done to test for COVID-19, if swabs are available.
• If they can access the internet, for the next 28 days we would like them to complete an online diary of their symptoms and medical care they have received. If they can’t access the internet, the trial team can phone them or their trial partner after 7, 14 and 28 days to get this information. It would be great if care homes could assist residents with this step, if possible.

Those who want to find out more about the study or are interested in participating can phone the PRINCIPLE study team on 0800 138 0880, or click on the study website here